Closure



R. C. PRATT CLOSURE Filed Nov. l. 1941 VZ1 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. c. PRATT Aug. 21, 1945.

CLOSURE Filed Nov. 1, 1941 5 Sheetvs-Sheet 3 IIIAVIIIA 9 @mwffm; @wozu/@ZKM Patented Aug. 2l,

STA-'rss PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE Raymond C. Pratt, Chicago, ApplcationNovember 1, 1941, Serial No. 417,448

9 claims. (ci. leo- 265) This invention relates to closure structures, particularly of the type wherein a slidable closure member is adapted to be moved or drawn across an opening, whereby to close or partially close the opening for the desired purpose.

It is an object of the invention to provide a closure structure of the type stated which vis of improved construction, durability and operating characteristics.

More' specifically, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a closure structure wherein the closure member may be operated to the desired position without the manipulation of lever controls lor the like, and merely by the l application of a suitable operatingv force to the closure member., at any place along the length thereof and wherein the closure member, upon adjustment, exhibits a uniform predetermined resistance to movement and automatically stops upon the release of the operating force in adjusted position, and is thereafter maintained in adjusted position, exhibiting no tendency to creep or move from the position of adjustment even thoughsubjected to protracted vibration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closure structure wherein a predetermined tension is applied to the closure member to hold the same in taut and proper position, which tension is substantially uniform in all positions of closure member adjustment, and which tension prevents the closure member from sagging, wrinkling or becoming otherwise distortedor improperly positioned. l

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in a closure structure of the .type stated, improved guide means for `guiding the closure member in its slidable movements, which guide means is self-aiming, precluding tilting or jamming of the parts or movement of the cooperating guide `elements from predetermined position,

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following speccation when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein certain preferred embodiments of the invention are set guidingcolumns, and Fig. a5 illustrating the automatic wiper unit;

Fig. 6 is a front sectional view of the structure of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale;

Figs. '7 and 8 are side sectional views of the structure, on the lines 1--1- and 8-8, respectively. of Fig. 6;

"Fig. 9 is a partial, horizontal, sectional view through one ofthe side guiding columns and associated parts, on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6; and.

Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive are detail perspective views illustrating parts of the structure, Figs. 10 and 11 showing one of the tape rollers and the shade roller disc, respectively; Fig. 12 illustrating whereby to insure smooth and emcient operation and also insure the provision of a light-tight structure.`

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure structure of the type dened wherein the.

closure member and associated parts are provided as a self-contained unit or frame,V which may be removably associated with a suitable supporting structure whereby .to facilitate assembly, 'replacement and repair.

Still another object of thev invention is to provide in a construction of the type stated, improved means for eiecting automatic cleaning of the more inaccessible partsof the structure.

of the structure, as well as to preclude rattling,

the method vvof anchoring the end of the shade orv closure member upon the shade roller or cylinder; Fig. 13 illustrating the slidable' guide member forming a part of the guiding means, and Fig. 14 showing the friction shoe Vassociated with the slidable guide member.

In the drawings, the particular closure structure set forth in detail for illustrative purposes comprises a window shade structure, for example of a type for use on railway cars and the like, as certain features of the invention are particularly `adapted for installations of this character. It is to be understood, however, that the principles of the invention are adapted for closures generally,

wherein an opening is to be closed or partially clossd for whatever suitablel or desired purpose. For example, in. Fig. 2 a structure is illustrated wherein a pair of closure members l0 and Il may .be horizontally drawn toward oraway from each other, wherebyv to form a horizontally slidable closure panel Afor an opening in a wall structure I3. f

Referring more speeiiically Vto the drawings.

-illustrated comprises a closure member, specifically a window shade I5, Fig. l, and a frame, generally indicated by the numeral I6, adapted to beassociated with the wall I1, which, as stated, may be the wall of a railway car or the like. Referring to Fig. 6, the wall I1 is provided with a bottom member I8, and a pair of upstanding side members I9 and 20, which together dene the Wall opening into which the closure frame I6 is inserta'ble. The frame I6 comprises in general a pair of side guide columns 2I and 22, Fig. l, a top or roller frame 23, and a bottom or sill frame 24.

The details of the frame elements are best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, and are also illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. As shown, the left side guide column 22 comprises a pair of upstanding column members 26 and 21, preferably of wood or the like, encased in an outer sheet metal facing piece 28 and a pair of inner sheet metal facing pieces 29, 30, the facing pieces being secured to the column members in any desired manner, for example by means of screws or the like as indicated at 3| and 32, Fig. 4. The column members and the facing pieces cooperate to form a slot or opening 33 of general T-shape extending lengthwise of the column.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the outer wall of indicated by the reference numeral 54 in Fig. 6.

To close the openings between the sides of the shade frame I6 and the walls I9 and 20, facing pieces 55 and 56 are provided, Figs. 1 and 9.

It will be seen that the entire frame structure I6, including the bottom sill 24 and the -facing pieces 55 and 56,- is removable as a unit from the the outer facing piece 28 extends upwardly beyond the ends of the column members 26 and 21, and is secured by means of bolts 35, Fig. 6, to the depending flange 36 of a U-shaped frame -piece 31 extending across the frame and forming the top member for the upper roller frame structure. The bolts 35 not only secure parts 28 and 36 together, but also in cooperation with a lower bolt 38 and suitable spacer members, provide means for securing the shade frame to the wall member26.

In addition to the top piece 31, the roller frame 23 comprises a bottom member 46, Fig. 3, and front and rear members 4I and 42, the parts 31. 40, 4I and 42 cooperating to form a box-like frame structure within which the shade roller is rotatably mounted. The bottom member 40 is provided with a slot 4 3 extending lengthwise thereof, this slot being of T-shape at either end and alined with the similarly shaped slots or openings in the columns. To facilitate the mounting of the shade roller within the roller frame, the top piece end ange 36 is struck inwardly as best shown in Fig. 3, and provided with a downwardly inclined slot into which the shade roller may be inserted upon removal of the front plate 4I of the roller frame. f

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, it will be seen that the outer side or wall of the facing member 28 also extends downwardly beyond the lower ends of the columns 26 and 21, whereby to be secured to the bifurcated end portions 41 and 46 of the sill frame 24. This sill frame, as illustrated, may comprise a main body 49 of Wood or the like, suitably faced with sheet metal as indicated at 56. A U-shaped bracket 5I is secured to the facing member 28 by means of a bolt 52, Fig. 6, this bracket being adapted to lie between the bifurcated ends 41 and 48 of the sill frame, and forming a. bearing support for a roller 53, the purpose of which will be later described. The bifurcated ends of the sill are secured to the column members 26 and 21 by suitable bolts as will be best 5,9611 by reference to Fig. 7.

support Wall I1 merely by the removal of the bolts or screws such as indicated at 35 and 38. This arrangement materially simplifies the assembly of the structure, and also permits ready removal of the closure frame from its support,

as a structural unit, whereby to facilitate replacement, repair, et cetera.

The construction of the shade roller is best illustrated in Figs. 6, l0 and ll, the roller also being shown in Figs. '1, 8 and l2. Specifically the structure, generally indicated by the nu meral 60, comprises a. central shaft 6I, a. shade cylinder or roller 62, a pair of tape rollers 63 and 64, and a disc member 65 connected to the cylinder 62 by means of a screw 66. The shaft 6I is provided with reduced end portions, as shown in Fig. 6, for engagement with the slots in the end flanges of the roller frame top piece 31, one of these slots having been previously described and indicated at 45 in Fig. 3. The slots are preferably the same for either end of the roller, and provide journal bearings therefor, as well as .to permit removal of the roller upon removal of the front plate 4I, as previously set forth. The engagement of the ends of the shaft against the facing pieces 28 and 64, prevent endwise shifting of the shaft. 'I'he tape rollers 63 and 64 are ilxed to the shaft 6I, for example by means of set screws as indicated at 68 and 69, Fig. 6. On the other hand, the disc 65 is loosely mounted on the shaft 6I for relative rotation with respect thereto. It will thus be seen that the tape rollers 63 and 66 together with the shaft 6I form one integrally united unit, whereas the disc 65 and the shade roller or cylinder 62 constitute the second integral unit, relatively shifitable with respect to the shaft and Ithe tape rollers. The ends of the cylinder 62 engage reduced inwardly extending projections on the tape rollers for support, but are journaled thereon for relative rotational movement. A coiled spring 16 loosely embraces shaft 6I, and is anchored at one end to the disc 65 and at the other to the tape roller 64. When the parts are in assembled position, the spring applies a predetermined rotational tension, in opposite directions, to the disc 65 and the tape roller 64.

The cylinder 62 forms the support for the shade or closure member 12, and the means for anchoring the shade to the cylinder is best shown in Fig. 12. Asillustrated, the looped end 13 of the shade is fitted through a slot 113 in the cylinder. A shaft 15 is then inserted through the end loop in the shade. This shaft is loose within the cylinder, but is of sufficient thickness so that ift cannot be drawn through the slot 14. Accordingly, as tension is applied to the shade the shaft may be drawn into engagement with' and stitched, as best shown in Fig. 8, so as to be anchored to a pair of cross bars 88 and 8|. The cross bar 88 supports a handle member 82 at its central portion, the handle being secured to the bar by suitable means such as screws or the like; and the bar is further provided at each end with a guide member r block adapted to `slide within the longitudinal slots of the side guiding columns. The guide block for the left column member is shown in perspective detail in Fig. 13, and the guiding `arrangement is also illustrated in Figs. 6, '7 and 9. 'I'he guide means for each sideof the shade are identical, and' only one need be described.

Referring to Fig. 13, it will be seen that the guide block, indicated by the numeral 85, is provided with a pair of bifurcated portions 86 and 81 adapted to embrace the cross barll and to be secured thereto by means of bolts or the like, as indicated in Fig.- 9. The upper part of the guide block is of general T-shape in horizontal section, as will be best understood by reference to Figs. 9 and 13, whereby to conform to the shaping of the longitudinal slot or track 33 in the column. When the parts are in assembled position, the guide block cannot be withdrawn from the track, andthe two guide blocks on either side of the shade cooperate to maintain the lower end thereof properly in position and against sidewise shifting. Each guide member |88. A pair of coiled springs |89 and H8, loosely mounted on the shaft I 88, react against the frame |81 to urge the wiper into engagement with the shade roller. A'.lo provide anchorage for the springs, pins are carried by the V` top plate flanges, the-pin for 'the left side of the structure being indicated at in'Figs. 7 and 8.

In the operation of the structure, it will be seen that the spring 'I8 constantly applies equal and opposite rotational forces to the disc 65 and l the tape roller 64. which forces are transmitted block has a friction shoe associated therewith i engageable with the outer facing piece of the column, the friction shoe 98 associated with the left guide block 85 being illustrated in perspective detail in Fig. 14. A pair of compression l springs 9| and 92, Fig. 6, apply a predetermined frictional pressure to the shoe against the facing member. These springs loosely embrace pins 93 and 94 formed on the shoe, and by means of which the shoe is loosely mounted on the guide block. It will be understood that the shoe is vertically movable as a unit with the guide block, but adapted for lateral shifting with respect thereto into frctional engagement with the facing member. In Fig. 6 the guidev block and frictionv shoe for the right column are indicated by the numerals 95 and 98, respectively.

'Atape member is arranged at each side of the structure, secured at one end to the guide block, and at its other end to the associated tape roller. Referring specifically to the tape structure for the left side of the shade, the tape, indicated by the numeral |88, islsecured -at its lower end to the I guide block 85 by means of a screw and an associated metal clamp clip 8|, as best shown in Fig. 7. The tape passes downwardly around the roller 53,previously described, thence upwardly to an idler guide roller |82, Figs. 6 and 7, and then wound around the tape roller 58 and anchored thereto by means of a screw yand clamp clip assembly |83. The tape thus lies longitudinally within the column opening or track 88, and it will be noted, by reference to Figs. I and 8,

that the tape and shade are oppositely wound at their upper ends. yThe tape member for the right side of the structure is indicated by the numeral |85 in Fig. 6.

A wiper or cleaner structure is arrangedfor cleaning the rear surface of the shade. The construction will be best understood by reference to Figs. 5 and 8. As shown,a shaft |88is mounted within the roller frame structure, carried by the |81 upon which is mounted a cleaner or wiper for manipulation.

to the upper end'of the shade through the cylinder 62, and to the lower endthereof through the 'two integrally united tape rollers, and the asso.

ciated tapes |88 and |85. The spring is so tensloned that it tends to produce counterclockwise rotation of the shade `cylinder 82, as seen in Fig. 8, pulling upwardly on the upper end of the shade, and at the same time to produce clockwise rotation of the tape rollers, as seen in Fig. 7, thus tending to pull downwardly on the lower shade end,` In .other words, the shade is subjected to a predetermined stretching action at all times, holding it in position, and it will be noted that thel magnitude of the stretching force re-V mains substantially constant in all adjusted positions of the shade. At the same time the shade or closure member is maintained in balance, or subjected to equal and opposite operating forces, in all positions of adjustment so that there is no tendency on the part of the closure member to creep or move from adjusted position even though'subjected to protracted periods of vibration, :for example where used asa part`of a railway vehicle or the like. As the shade is raised and tlowered, -the relative positions of the tape rollers 83 and 6l and the shade roller or cylinder 62 may be changed somewhat due 'to a difference in the thickness of the shade material with respect to that of the tapes, resulting in the building up of the tapes or the shade, asfthe case may be, upon the rollers at different rates. This produces 'a slight relative shifting of the spring coils, but inasmuch as the movement is small in relation to the overall capacity of the spring there will be no substantial change in the spring tension. However, the presence of the spring insures the maintenance of the shade in tight or stretched condition at all times and notwithstanding a di'erence n material thickness between the shade and the apes.

The only resistance to movement of the shade isl the action of the friction shoes 98 and 96, auginented slightly by the action of the wiper |88 and the friction of the various operating parts. It will be noted that this frictional resistance is substantially uniform in all of the shifted positions of the shade, and accordingly in the opera- I the same predetermined operating force will invariably be required. Also, as stated, there is no tendency on the partof the spring 18 to cause creeping of the structure, either in raised or lowered position.

The guide blocks 85 'and 95, in cooperation Iwith the guide columns, maintain the lower end of the shade in proper position at all times, and provide eiilcient means for guiding the closure member in its movements. AAlso, the arrangement of the structure is such that any tendency to tilt or jam is minimized, and this is so regardless ci' which part of the lower shade end is gripped Assume, for example, that the extreme left edge ,of the shade is gripped and drawn downwardly.- Under such circumstances stallations, be inaccessible.

as the shade is pulled downwardly and the cylinder 62 rotated, overcoming the resistance of the spring 10, the spring remains operative to pull action through the cylinder 62 upon the shade element. In other words, during either lowering or raising operations, the spring 'l0 exerts symmetrical forces tending to induce movement of the shade, whereby to minimize jamming or tilting of the structure, no matter lwhere it is gripped for operation.

It will be noted that the shade or closure member may be manipulated to the desired adjusted position merely by the application of the operating force thereto, manipulation of squeeze sticks or like levers being unnecessary. As the operating force is released, the movement of the closure member immediately and. automatically stops, and thereafter there is no tendency for theclosure member to creep or otherwise move from adjusted position. The tape members render the closure or shade self-alining at all times, and the tapes in applying tension to the shade, maintaining it taut, preclude buckling or wrinkling, whereby to preclude jamming and excess wear. The guide blocks 85 'and 95, fixed directly to the shade, are precluded from moving away from their guiding columns, thus further precluding jamming, avoiding improper operation, and also precluding rattling and insuring silent operation.

It Iwill further be noted that the edge of the shade extends into the guide tracks or slots., such as the slot 33, formed in the guide columns. 'I'he slot portion into which the shade projects, as well as the central portion of the slot 43 through which the shade projects at its upper end, is relatively narrow, and an arrangement is thereby produced rendering the shade or closure member light-tight and efllcient in operation.

Each time the structure is operated, the wiper effects an automatic cleaning operation upon the rear shade surface which may, in most in- 'Ihe front surface of the shade may be readily cleaned when the shade is in lowered position.

As previously indicated, the entire shade frame I6 is removable as a unit from the support structure I1, whereby to facilitate assembly of the parts, and also permit replacement, substitution and repair. As also previously indicated, the closure may be either vertically or horizontally operable, or may, lif desired, be so arranged that the roller structure is at the bottom, the shade member being drawn or moved upwardly therefrom. The shadeor lclosure member may also, if desired, be power operated, rather than by manual force, and it is to be understood that the closure member may take the form of a Venetian blind, rolling door, re door, theater curtain, sliding partition, folding or rolling panel, flexible or The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A closure structure comprising a closure member adapted to ibe dra-wn across an opening to be closed, said closure member being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, means positively connected to opposite sides of the closure member at one end operable to urge the closure member in one direction of travel with. a predetermined force, means positively connected to opposite sides of the closure member at its other end simultaneously 'operable to urge the closure member in the opposite direction of travel with the same predetermined force, a pair of frame members adjacent the opposite sides of the closure member along which one end of the closure member is adapted to be slidably shifted, and friction means between the frame members and the sides of the closure member at said latter end for yielda'bly resisting movement thereof.

2. A closure structure comprising a closure 'member adapted to be drawn across an opening to be closed, said closure member being slidably shiftable in opposite direction of travel, spring means positively connected to opposite sides of the closure member at one end continuously operable to urge the closure member in one direction y of travel with a predetermined force, spring means positively connected to opposite sides of the closure member at its other end continuously operable to urge the closure member in the opposite direction of travel with the-same predetermined force, said spring means being operable in all positions of adjustment of the closure member, a pair of guide tracks adjacent the opposite side of the closure member arranged to guide one end of the closure member in its shiftable movements, and friction means between the guide tracksand the sides of the closure member at said latter end for yieldably resisting movement thereof.

3. A closure structure comprising a closure member adapted to be drawn across an opening to be closed, said closure memlber being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, spring means positively connected to opposite sides of the closure member at one point along the length thereof operable upon the closure member in any position of adjustment to urge the closure member in onedirection of travel with a predetermined force, said spring means being also positively connected to opposite sides of the closure member at another point along the length thereof tosimultaneously urge the closure member in the opposite direction of travel with the same predetermined force, the force of said spring means being the same in all positions of adjustment of the closure member, a pair of frame members adjacent the opposite sides of the closure member along which one end of the closure member is adapted to lbe slidably shifted, and friction means between the frame mem-bers and the sides of the closure member at said latter end vi'or yieldably resisting movement thereof.

, 4. A closure structure comprising a vclosure member adapted to be drawn across an opening to be closed. said closure member being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, a roller structure comprising a pair of rotatable elements, means operatively connecting one of said rotatable elements to the closure member at one point along the length thereof and symmetrically with respect to the line of shift of the closure member for shifting the closure member in one directionv when the rotatable element is rotated in a given direction of4 travel, means operatively connecting the ,other rotatable element to the closure member at another point along the length thereof and symmetrically with respect to the line of shift of the closure member for shifting the 4closure member inthe opposite direction when said element is rotated in a given direction of travel, a single spring operatively connecting said rotatable elements for urging them in said given directions of travel whereby said elements supply equal and-,opposite symmetrically applied forces to the closure member, a pair of frame members adjacent the opposite sides of the closure member along which one end ofthe closure member is adapted to slidably shifted, and friction means between the frame members and the sides of the closure member at said latter end 'for l yieldably rem'sting movement thereof. y

5. A closure structure comprising a closure member adapted to be drawn across an opening to be closed, said closure member being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, al roller structure comprising two sets of relatively rotatable elements, means operatively connecting one set of said elements to the closure member for shifting the closure member in one direction when said set of elements is rotated in a given direction of rotation, means operatively connecting the other set of rotatable elements "to the closure member for shifting the closure member in the opposite direction when said set of elements is rotated in a given direction of rotation,. said last named connecting means comprising a pair of elongated flexible members connected at one end to opposite sides of the closure member and at the other end to said other set of rotatable elements, guide means over which said elongated members are substantially reversely bent intermediate their ends, a single spring operatively connecting said' sets of rotatable elements for urging them in said given direction of rotation,

, a pair of guide tracks adjacent the opposite sides of the closure member arranged to guide one end of the closure member in its shiftable movements, and friction means between the guide tracks and the sides of the closure membr at said latter end for yieldably resisting movement thereof.

connecting the opposite sides of the other end of the shade member to said roller element, guide means overwhich the tape members are substantially reversely bent intermediate their ends, a spring for continuously applying force to the rotatable cylinder and both the roller elements nwhereby to urge the ends of the shade in opposite directions away from the shade body, a pair of 1 guide tracks adjacent the opposite sides of the lshade arranged to guide one end of the shade in its shiftable movements, and spring pressed friction shoes between the guide tracks and the sides of the shade at said latter end for yleldably resisting movement thereof.

7. A shade structure comprising a shade member adapted to be drawn across an opening to be closed, said shade member being slidably shiftable in opposite directions of travel, a shade cylinder upon which one end of the shade is adapted to be wound, a roller arranged at each end ofthe shade cylinder upon which the cylinder ends are rotatably supported, tape members secured to the rollers and to the other end of the shade at opposite side edges thereof, guide means for the tape members over which the tape members are substantially reversely bent intermediate their ends, a single spring connected to the shade cylinder and to both said rollers for urging them in opposite directions of, rotation, a rectangular subframe adapted to be applied as a unit to a main 'frame opening to be closed, said sub-frame comprising a pair of guide tracks adjacent the opposite sides of the shade member arranged to guide one end of the'shade member in its shifteble movements, and spring pressed friction `shoes between the guide tracks and the sides of the shade member at said latter end and yieldably end of said cylinder, tapes operatively connected l to said rollers and to the lower end of the shade `at opposite sides thereof, guide means over which the tapes are substantially reversely bent intermediate their ends, a spring positively connected to said shade cylinder and both said rollers for urging vthe shade cylinder and rollers in opposite directions of rotation, columns arranged at each side of the shade, said columns being provided with guide tracks along the path of travel of the shade, guide `blocks secured to the lower end of the shade at opposite sides thereof and adapted for sliding-movement along said guidetracks and resilient means for urging the guide blocks against the guide tracks with a.l predetermined force whereby to yieldably resist movement of the shade member.

9. Av closure structure comprising a closure member adapted to be moved across an opening l guide means being secured together as -a selfcontained unit and being removably attached to said support whereby to be removable as a unit therefrom.

. RAYMOND C. PRATI. 

